Dictionary.com

blizzard

[ bliz-erd ]
/ ˈblɪz ərd /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: blizzard / blizzards on Thesaurus.com

noun
Meteorology.
  1. a storm, technically an extratropical cyclone, with dry, driving snow, strong winds, and intense cold.
  2. a heavy and prolonged snowstorm covering a wide area.
an inordinately large amount all at one time: a blizzard of Christmas cards.
verb (used without object)
to snow as a blizzard: Looks as though it's going to blizzard tonight.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of blizzard

An Americanism first recorded in 1820–30 for earlier meaning “violent blow, shot”; compare British dialectal (Midlands) blizzer, blizzom “blaze, flash, anything that blinds momentarily”; probably expressive formations with components of blast, blaze1, bluster, etc.

OTHER WORDS FROM blizzard

bliz·zard·y, bliz·zard·ly, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for blizzard

blizzard
/ (ˈblɪzəd) /

noun
a strong bitterly cold wind accompanied by a widespread heavy snowfall

Word Origin for blizzard

C19: of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for blizzard

blizzard
[ blĭzərd ]

A violent snowstorm with winds blowing at a minimum speed of 56 km (35 mi) per hour and visibility of less 400 m (0.25 mi) for three hours.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
FEEDBACK